Aligning body to frame after new body mounts help

[VMCFred]

Hi all... any advice on how to align the body on the frame? what are the best measuring points to make sure its aligned correctly.

Long story short, I separated the body from the frame and I did a bunch of work to the frame and now I have it under the body again. I got the body to sit on the frame but I can't figure out how and where to measure to make sure its aligned correctly.

What would be the correct measuring points?

Thanks

[boywonder]

I have no idea...but is there that much wiggle room in the mounting holes?


Are you installing new rubber isolators?.......now's the time.

[BroncoHauler]

In my limited opinion, a body on frame vehicle isn't exactly an exercise in precision mounting.


Herb

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by boywonder

I have no idea...but is there that much wiggle room in the mounting holes?

My thoughts exactly. Several of the guys who have had bodies off frames documented on forums have never mentioned alignment (Ujoint, MG, etc.). They are probably too frustrated dealing with rusty mounting bolts but you'd think it would've been mentioned by now.

[VMCFred]

Originally Posted by boywonder

I have no idea...but is there that much wiggle room in the mounting holes?


Are you installing new rubber isolators?.......now's the time.

I am installing all new Dorman body mounts all around. And there is about 3/8” of room around the bolt. At the moment some bolts are touching the side while some are in the center.

I moved the body around a few times (not an easy job given it’s on jack stands and engine hoist) but when I fix one end the other moves so that’s why I’m looking for a way to measure the body and the frame without worrying about the bolts being centered or not.

[VMCFred]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

My thoughts exactly. Several of the guys who have had bodies off frames documented on forums have never mentioned alignment (Ujoint, MG, etc.). They are probably too frustrated dealing with rusty mounting bolts but you'd think it would've been mentioned by now.

I have seen vans on the highway where, visually speaking, look like they are just off to the side a bit and I’m trying to avoid that.

It’s one heck of a frustrating job but i found that cutting yhe bottom bushing rubber off then using a cut off wheel to the bottom of the bolt was the easiest. If I were to do this again that’s exactly how I would go about it and in maybe two hours I would have them all off.

[86Scotty]

I see. I've never noticed that. I would probably take some basic measurements comparing sides of the body to frame, center it best I could and move on but if you have time to wait I bet one of the folks that has done it will chime in, or PM them.

Good luck!

[VMCFred]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

I see. I've never noticed that. I would probably take some basic measurements comparing sides of the body to frame, center it best I could and move on but if you have time to wait I bet one of the folks that has done it will chime in, or PM them.

Good luck!

Thanks. I’m going to move on to installing other items in the mean time and wait to hear for some advice. In the next few days I will visit a local body shop and see what they say too.

But yeah I’m ready to torque these suckers down and move on.

[1der]

Maybe using the pinch seams on the body measuring to a point on the frame? Of course assumes frame is square.

Most of the times I have seen the "crab" visual it looks like the frame to axles mounting is askew.

[86Scotty]

Great idea Ray.